Roissy-en-Brie english summary

On Sunday 15 September 2019, at 23:06, Transilien train no. 117 589 from Paris-Gare de l’Est (75) and bound for Provins (77) collided with a light vehicle on level crossing no. 8 in the commune of Roissy-en-Brie (77).
This LC was equipped with automatic light and sound signals with four half-barriers.
The collision occurred while the train was travelling at a speed of 100 km/h. Despite the violence of the impact, the train did not derail.
Four occupants were initially in the light vehicle, which they were able to evacuate just before the impact ; none were injured.
Of the 43 passengers and the driver on board the train, 9 were slightly injured.

The direct causes of the accident were, on the one hand, the failure of the light vehicle to stop at the level crossing despite the flashing red lights having been activated for several seconds and, on the other hand, the immobilisation of the vehicle on the railway tracks for almost 45 seconds while the lowered barriers were breakable.

Several factors may have played a role in the occurrence of the accident :
- the attention of the driver of the light vehicle, who was not very experienced because she held a probationary licence, was able to be mobilised by following the vehicle in front and by the navigation indications transmitted by her passenger who was using his mobile phone ;
- the road junction just upstream of the LC is complex, as many access roads converge there, requiring each road user to pay attention to the related flows, and thus potentially reducing the attention needed to perceive the activation of the LC ;
- LC 8 is located in an urban environment with many visual elements, some of which may have obscured or diminished the visibility of the NP’s approach and position signs.

In the light of these elements, the BEA-TT makes recommendations concerning :
- the development of the road junction near the LC ;
- improving the legibility and visibility of the LC and its positional signage.